Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition that causes you to subconsciously clench or grind your teeth and this often occurs during sleep. As such, bruxism is a sleep disorder and people with this condition are more likely to have other associated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which causes interrupted breathing. For this reason, it is important to get a proper diagnosis if you think you may have bruxism. Often people with bruxism are completely unaware they clench or grind their teeth during the night and may only find out when they are told by a sleeping partner that their tooth grinding is making a horrible noise.

Why Is Bruxism Harmful?Mild bruxism may not require any specific treatment, but often this condition can become more severe and frequent enough to cause significant damage to the teeth and jaws. It can also lead to a host of other unpleasant symptoms, which include chronic headaches that will not respond to conventional treatment. Diagnosis and treatment for bruxism is usually pretty straightforward, provided this condition is detected early on. However, if you leave bruxism to progress, then it can cause more long- term damage to the jaw joints, called the temporomandibular joints, and in the worst cases, may require surgery to correct. It is worth being aware of the signs and symptoms of bruxism so you can take action. Regular dental checkups with Dr. Daria Royzman and Dr. Daniel Royzman at D & D Periodontal Associates, P.C. can also detect bruxism due to the damage caused to teeth.

What Causes Bruxism and Who Can Develop It?Dentists are not exactly sure what causes bruxism and it can develop in anyone at any age; it may even affect children, although they tend to outgrow this habit. Bruxism has been linked to stress so if you develop this condition it could be worth looking at ways to reduce your stress levels. It may also be due to the teeth being incorrectly aligned, so it is possible that adjusting your bite may correct bruxism. Sometimes bruxism can develop as a result of Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease and it can be a side effect of certain medications including some antidepressants.

If you suffer from bruxism, please contact our periodontists for an evaluation. We are available at 212-759-7763, and hope to help you with bruxism in New York, New York, today!